Mary Alice Phelan, 87

With family in attendance she passed away at home in Salem OR on April 9, 2010 after a long struggle with heart disease.

She was born in St Paul KS on July 17, 1922 to Silas Elmer and Cora May (Thompson) Newland. She grew up with 10 brothers and sisters in St Paul, graduating from St Paul High School in 1940. During WWII she worked for the war effort in the Parsons Ordinance Plant making explosive shells. She married Cyril Whelan in 1944 and was happy as farm wife and mother. After her husband was taken by cancer, she was married for a short time to Robert Phelan. Left to raise 4 young daughters alone, she moved her family to Oregon where she worked in a nursing home and then at Fairview Hospital and Training Center until her retirement January 1, 1985. The majority of her life was spent caring for others.  

She was an uncommonly kind woman, strong in faith, and exceedingly proud of her family and country. She worked hard, loved unconditionally, taught by example, and believed in the healing power of a smile and laughter. Although she donated to many charities over the years, she believed donating time and skills benefited the world more. She enjoyed the beauty of the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast, sewing, crocheting, reading, and reminiscing with family and friends about shared memories and her travels throughout the United States and Europe.    

She has gone on to join those predeceased loved ones: husband, Cyril, their infant son-Cyril Eugene Whelan, a granddaughter-Laura Lynn Espinola, her parents, four brothers- George, Carl, James(Dutch) and Thomas(Mike) Newland and one sister-Maud Heilman.   

She is survived by 4 daughters- Donna J Dantz of Santee CA, Clare K and husband Larry L Espinola of La Grande OR, Theresa E and husband John Hoino of Keizer OR, and Mary Rita Marek of Salem OR & eight grandchildren-Eric and wife Angie Dantz, Michelle and husband Chuck Brassell, Bea and husband Bryan Crampton, Ronnie and wife Tina Espinola, John Hoino Jr, and Kris and husband Jeff Hittner, Ren Marek and Katja Marek; and 13 great grandchildren, one brother-Joe Newland, four sisters-Flossie Burton, Eleanor Cook, and Cleta Kaesemeyer, and numerous nieces and nephews, greats and great-greats – all of whom she loved dearly.

Although her love will live on in the hearts of everyone she has touched in life, she has promised to be waiting to welcome us home with a smile and a hug. In lieu of flowers please carry out a random act of kindness for someone in need.